Working on that Post Baby Body!

Hi Everyone!

So I am now nearly 4 months post baby. And thanks to the wonder that is breastfeeding I’ve been able to eat as much carrot cake as humanly possible with very little guilt!! But summer is fast approaching and I’ve decided that, for me, for no one else, I want to get fit again!

Yes that may sound shallow, possibly vain. I guess I am a bit vain given my love for make up, beauty and fashion, but if a person wants to feel good for themselves then why not! So my starting point was signing up for the Norwich 10k Run in August. I must be borderline mad, but having something to aim for is really motivating.

Two weeks before giving birth

Now as much as I am keen to get fit and tone up, I am doing it entirely for myself. It’s something that will make me feel good. I put on a huge amount of weight whilst pregnant and although I’ve lost a fair amount of it, I’d like to be a bit more toned. So often the media bombards us with photos of celebrities a few days after birth looking like supermodels! But they have personal trainers chefs and stylists! Us regular Mums have only our motivation and lets face it, after months of carrying a heavy child then going through a somewhat stressful time of getting the baby out, our motivation goes about as far as turning on the kettle! But now that I am feeling that bug, I’m embracing it before it disappears!

14 Weeks Post Birth

I do worry that it makes me sound shallow for wanting to get fit again. I’ve always been a strong believer that we shouldn’t put pressure on yourself and I’m certainly not going to do that. But it is nice to get a bit of confidence back and if that’s the way it makes you feel good then why not; getting fit is certainly a good way to do so after all! Its also a great way to release endorphins which is an added bonus; happy mummy equals happy baby.

Luckily I’ve got a treadmill at home as I can hardly go on runs with baby boy and I’m not so much of a keep fit nut that I’ve got a running buggy! If I did I’d more than likely go arse over tit! I’m also keen to emphasise I don’t want to lose weight but simply tone up! I’m a bit of a bikini lover and would love to get back into the shape I was in a couple of years ago.

What I want to get back to

I do want to emphasise that I do NOT believe women should put any pressure on themselves to get back into shape after giving birth. Our babies are our absolute number one priority! And what our bodies have accomplished and been through is something to fully respect. But if getting fit, doing a bit of exercise and releasing some steam is something you want to do then go for it. Just as we shouldn’t shame women who aren’t too worried about getting back into shape, we also shouldn’t shame women who want to get fit. It’s a personal outlet and it doesn’t mean you have to be going on crazy diets or working out 5 days a week!! Do what is right for you.

I’ll be doing some updates on how I’m getting on and how I cope with my 10k run so keep your eyes peeled. If nothing else I should imagine they’ll be hilarious; I’ve never done a long run before so this is my first time and is likely to be most amusing!! And don’t worry, in the mean time I’m most likely going to be found reaching for cake (she says, typing this whilst scoffing a dairy milk)!

After having three children I have officially waged war on the Mum tum. Everything went back to normal after baby #1 without any extra work from me, but after 3? I’m going to start dead lifting today. I’m on my fourth go of the p90x workout programs, and oh my goodness, I’ve never been more fit. Good luck with your fitness plans! 🙂

I’m very lucky that I’m actually a stone lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight and have lost 4 and half stone in total since having the baby 8 months ago but I put that all down to breastfeeding (and the fact my baby was 10lb 3oz so my weight was pretty much all baby!!) But like you I need to tone up! I’ve had to take it easy on the exercise front due to my EMCS but now I’m due back at work soon, I need to get my bum in gear and get back my fitness! I don’t think you’re vain at all for wanting to look good – I’m sure a lot of it is wanting to be healthy rather than wanting to be skinny! You look fab anyway! #justanotherlinky

You look amazing already! Congratulations on signing up to the 10K – I know I never feel as amazing as when I’m running. I started again last Autumn but after a nasty illness bout it went out of the window again. I must get back on it now the nicer weather is here! #HappyDays

I don’t think it’s unreasonable at all to want to get your body back. Pregnancy and birth takes such a toll on our bodies, it really deserves some love and care after all that stretching. I started a kickboxing class after my second and thankfully am back to where I started. Good luck reaching your goals!
#KCACOLS
Torihttp://www.themamanurse.com

So true, we should all do something for us. I’m a firm believer doing what makes you happy as long as it’s healthy, and as you say celebrities don’t always do it he healthy way, in saying that I do wonder if it’s ‘clever’ clothing choices 🙂 Good luck!! It sounds like a nice aim and is not too soon that you can increase your running lengths gradually xx #bigpinklink

Wow you look amazing! I am about half way through my health quest and getting in better shape but a huggggeeee way to go. Its so nice to have something all about us to focus on isn’t it! Being happy and healthy is good for us and our families so it’s all good 🙂 xx

You should NEVER feel like you have to apologise for wanting to be at your best. I am at that point where I am getting serious now, THREE YEARS post last baby. I did start running about two years ago and ended up doing a half just seven months later so it is achievable, but then an injury laid me out and I struggled to motivate myself again. Look for buggy fit classes in your area, they are pretty good. Now my kids are older I’m did a boot camp and ended up signing up with the gym and the results were amazing, I lost 21 inches and can’t explain the boost it gave me to feel all my clothes looser. It doesn’t matter what your motive is, and you shouldn’t feel you need to keep quiet about your goals, my main motivation is to be around for as long as possible for my kids and that involves being fit and healthy. Good luck and keep us posted!! Thanks for linking up! #bigpinklink

Love this. If getting back into shape makes you feel better then that is great and I am very jealous that breastfeeding has meant you get to eat what you like- it never made a difference to me so no cake for me haha! Thank you for sharing in #HappyDaysLinky x

Great article! And well done you! You look fantastic and there is absolutely nothing wrong or vain in wanting to get fit and tone up. I was the same. And enjoy the carrot cake!! I’m at 19 months of breastfeeding and it’s still my staple diet! I’m sure there must be a cut-off when it’s not an excuse any more, especially when they only feed a couple of times a day…?! 😉 Enjoy your 10K training – it’s great to have a goal! Well done again X

Ah this is lovely. I started exercising again when Emma was 5.5 months and it made me feel great. I was a bit the same and was a sugar monster in those early months (isn’t everyone?!) but I bottle fed her after 8 weeks on so I piled it on a little bit. I did some classes with a PT to strengthen my core and bring my tummy muscles back together and also did a HIIT class with weights. It worked so well and I felt fab about myself! I also signed up for a 10k in that time but I chickened out and sold my ticket lol. Good for you lovely, can’t wait to hear about your progress 🙂 xxx #bigpinklink #triballove